The next 18 months pass quickly. I am heading the Defensive Preparedness Department. Chakotay became a part of the group at the beginning as a tactical expert.

Starfleet isn't big on allowing couples to serve together, but in my instance, I am the expert. And, I know I need Chakotay with me.

…..

I turn the program over today and take over Voyager. She has been given the greenlight to go on a shakedown tour.

While I headed the Defensive Preparedness Department, my father was in charge of overseeing Voyager and implementing fleet wide changes based on my specs.

I have toured Voyager a handful of times, and she's exactly as I remember her. As per my request, her first tour will be monitoring the Cardassian DMZ and the Badlands.

"We need to hurry, Kathryn."

"I'm coming. I was just thinking."

"We can't have you doing that."

"Very funny mister."

Chakotay and I beam to Voyager together. For the next two years, he will head the Defensive Preparedness Department. I want him with me, but I know the best way is for us to be in charge of as many aspects of my plan as possible.

The tour ends on the bridge where Admiral Thomas gives me my fourth pip and turns over command of Voyager.

By midmorning, the only people on Voyager are techs and the Senior Staff. The rest of the crew is to arrive by noon tomorrow.

"Welcome to Voyager. Our first mission will be monitoring the DMZ and the Badlands. As the fastest ship in the fleet, Voyager is unparalleled in the research she will be able to collect from the Badlands. Today, I would like you to continue getting to know Voyager. Any questions?"

"Captain, is it true you designed Voyager?"

I hate having to take the credit from those who rightfully earned it, but as per the terms of the Temporal Prime Directive, it is impossible to tell them anything about the other timeline."

"My father, Admiral Janeway is the head of design. He and I together worked to create Voyager."

"As first officer, I was wondering if you could elaborate on the specifics of our mission."

"As much as I can, which isn't much. Intelligence believes that there is an imminent threat posed by the Cardassians. Imminent being within the next decade. For many that may seem like a long time, but ten years isn't long when trying to prepare for war. Not much can be told to those without a level 10 clearance, I am sorry to say. We are simply to monitor our side of the lines while also collecting data about the Badlands."

"If there are no more questions… Dismissed."